DataStream Initiative – Executive Director

Our client, DataStream Initiative, is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to advancing freshwater protection through open data flows. Its mission is to promote knowledge sharing and collaborative water stewardship so our waters remain healthy for current and future generations. Core programming includes an online platform for sharing water quality data (“DataStream”), data management and water science training, network building, and advocacy to promote open access to environmental data in Canada.

DataStream began as a program within The Gordon Foundation and was established as a charity in 2021. The Gordon Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that undertakes research, leadership development, and public dialogue so that Canadian public policies reflect a commitment to collaborative stewardship of our freshwater resources and to a people-driven, equitable, and evolving North.

With an office in Toronto and remote staff across Canada, DataStream is a rapidly growing organization active in hub regions across Canada. It engages with organizations across disciplines and sectors, including watershed organizations, Indigenous Nations, and governments at all levels. Over 270 organizations share water quality data on DataStream, and more are joining daily. DataStream’s programming, platform, and thought leadership are in high demand at a time when data and the democratization of science are widely recognized as instrumental to freshwater protection. For more information, visit DataStream.org.

Scope of Position

The Executive Director (ED) will play a pivotal role in leading DataStream at an exciting time of growth. DataStream has built the networks and competencies needed to tackle critical barriers to freshwater protection, with tangible progress in improving access to water data nationwide and identified opportunities for even more significant impact. The ED will be instrumental in leveraging this strong foundation and scaling DataStream’s impacts across Canada.

Reporting to the CEO of The Gordon Foundation, the successful candidate will lead a highly collaborative, driven, multi-disciplinary team located in regions from coast to coast to coast. The ED will work with this team to continuously improve existing programming while also building partnerships and funding needed to build DataStream’s capacity to meet growing demand.

We seek a charismatic, strong leader who is a self-starter, mature and practical, innovative and determined and has outstanding public speaking and listening skills. This role will appeal to individuals who want to positively impact Canada’s most precious resource and be a leader from the boardroom to the halls of Parliament to the shores of our rivers and lakes.

Responsibilities & Functional Tasks

1. Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the organization and its team.
2. Develop and implement DataStream’s program plans and strategies, which include:
   1. Overall program and impact growth.
   2. Community convening and support.
   3. Technology innovation and leadership.
   4. Bridging data collection and analysis to policy action.
3. Ongoing development of the DataStream software to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the online platform.
4. Deliver thought leadership, including presenting and speaking publicly at events and conferences.
5. Oversee the budget and raise funds to support the organization’s growth and long-term sustainability.
6. Build networks and collaborations across sectors to advance strategic priorities.
7. Liaise with existing government and non-government funders.
8. Manage and grow DataStream’s remote team based from coast to coast.
9. Provide reports and presentations to the Board of Directors.
10. Travel (approximately 20% of the time, or more, depending on your location).

Preferred Experience / Education

1. 8+ years of experience in progressively senior roles in non-profit or charitable organizations.
2. 5+ years of experience building and leading high-performing teams.
3. Demonstrated leadership skills to drive growth and operational excellence.
4. Demonstrated fundraising skills and awareness of relevant funding agencies and opportunities.
5. Understanding of Canadian environmental policies and issues. Specific water science or water policy experience and knowledge are a strong asset.
6. Experience working with Indigenous Governments and organizations.
7. Experienced in Government Relations at all levels, especially federal.
8. Experience managing complex projects and working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
9. Exceptional organizational and communication skills, including experience presenting to diverse expert and non-expert audiences.
10. Experience reporting to a Board of Directors.
11. Experience in data collection and analytics software or related technology platforms is an asset.
12. French language skills are an asset.
13. High standards of business and personal ethical conduct.

Competency Profile / Characteristics

1. Integrity & Sincerity: Inspires trust and supports others through own authenticity and following up on commitments. Maintains high ethical standards both personally and professionally. Shows consistency among principles.
2. Strategic Approach: Develops a strategic plan to realize the vision. Revises strategy in light of changing circumstances. Works to clarify organizational goals. Able to stand back from immediate problems in order to focus on more far-reaching ideas.
3. Commercial Acumen: Applies appropriate commercial and financial principles. Understands situations in terms of costs, profits, added-value and return on investment.
4. Results Orientation: Focuses strongly on achieving agreed-upon outcomes and ensures that key objectives are met. Conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure. Aims to improve upon past performance. Establishes aggressive personal targets and strives to achieve them.
5. Information Seeking: Consults widely for business or technical advice, probes for facts and obtains information from a wide variety of sources. Differentiates the critical from the irrelevant or trivial.
6. Team Skills: Helps to create a sense of team spirit and harmonious relations through cooperation and support. Balances personal goals with those of the team. Fosters collaboration among team members.
7. Initiative: Proactive; seizes opportunities and acts upon them immediately; Takes responsibility for own actions and addresses problems before asked.
8. Impact: Makes an immediate positive impression upon others; Has presence and commands respect; Comes across with force and quickly establishes credibility; Accurately predicts the effects of own words and actions.
9. Influence: Articulates the key points of an argument persuasively; Negotiates skilfully and convinces others to own point of view; Directly and indirectly impacts the decisions/opinions of others; Mobilizes people into action.
10. Innovation: Generates new ideas; Challenges existing assumptions; Goes beyond the status quo; Recognizes the need for new or modified approaches; Brings various perspectives and approaches together, combining them in a creative fashion to implement effective improvements.

Competitive compensation and benefits package tailored to the successful candidate.

Personal and professional growth within a mission-driven organization.

A collaborative, flexible work environment.

The ED will be employed by The Gordon Foundation and will work on DataStream programming.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Accommodations will be provided at any stage of the hiring process.